Isabella Welles Hunnewell Internship Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Arnold Arboretum located?
The Arboretum is located at 125 Arborway within the city of Boston, in the neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain and Roslindale. It can be reached by public transportation via the Orange Line train to Forest Hills Station or via the #39 bus to Jamaica Plain. Other local buses also stop nearby. See directions.

What hours are interns expected to work?
Interns work a forty-hour week, Monday through Friday. Hours of operation vary from department to department. The grounds maintenance department begins the day at 7:00am and ends at 3:30pm. Greenhouse and curatorial operations begin at 7:30am and end at 4:00pm. Occasionally, interns are required to start earlier or end later during the program.

Is this a paid internship?
Yes. Interns will be paid a stipend of $9.00 per hour for the summer of 2014.

Does the Arboretum provide housing?
We do not provide or locate housing for interns. We recommend visiting the website Craig’s List and searching under the “housing” heading. Many interns have had success with this site. Explore the resources on Best of the Web-Boston for more information on visiting or relocating to the Boston area.

Can the Arnold Arboretum accept international candidates?
On a limited basis, we do accept qualified international candidates. However, we are greatly limited in our ability to acquire visas due to increased security and rising costs. International candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Are interns charged tuition for the classes offered during the program? Can credits be obtained from taking these classes?
Classes offered through the internship are not formal Harvard University courses. Classes are free and offer no credit. They are required instructional sessions teaching horticultural technique, landscape management, and the management of the Arnold Arboretum’s historic landscape and scientific collections. Interns will be released from daily duties to attend these sessions, though they are counted as part of the paid work day. Colleges or universities may offer credit or a grade for the entire internship experience. Interns should pursue this directly through their educational institutions.

Should interns bring their own tools to work with?
The Arboretum provides interns with all of the tools required. Steel-toe work boots are required. We offer a $100 boot reimbursement. (Details and restrictions apply. Ask the intern coordinator before purchase.) Interns should supply their own foul weather gear and a sturdy water bottle.